News

The Black History Parade Committee would like to extend an invitation for this year's celebration of Black History month. The month has been packed with lots of fun activities. Mark you calendar to come out and celebrate with the community for all of these events:
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Blountstown Tiger fans, basketball players, cheerleaders and even some aspiring little cheerleaders put on their favorite pink outfits Friday night for the Hoops for Hope game to benefit the fight against breast cancer.
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The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement invites you to an elegant evening of scrumptious confections and classical chamber music and romantic favorites on Saturday, February 4, at 6:30 pm. CST.
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A Blountstown man is accused of dousing his girlfriend with boiling water during a fight at his home Sunday night. The woman has since been transported to a Georgia burn center for treatment.

Harmon Nathan Brody, 60, has been charged with aggravated battery in the case.

According to the Blountstown Police Department, Cpl. Patrick Crawford responded to Brody’s Hentz Avenue home just after 10 p.m. in response to a physical disturbance call. He found Buffy Doughty, 48, in the driveway visibly upset with blisters forming on her face and right arm. Doughty alleged Brody had thrown boiling water on her and added that she had struck him with a baseball bat to defend herself.
Brody said the argument erupted after Doughty, who he had given access to his bank account, had caused him to be overdrawn and he felt she owed him around $1400. Doughty said the fight began because she had eaten an apple pie. Doughty said she was on the computer in the bedroom when Brody tried to physically force her out of the house. Doughty said she grabbed a baseball bat and hit Brody, but didn’t swing very hard. Cpl. Crawford noted a visible hematoma on Brody’s right wrist where Doughty had struck him. She said Brody remarked, “Nobody tries me like that in my house.”

Doughty said she went back inside and eventually went into the kitchen to make some tea, placing a pot of water on the stove. She said Brody approached and initially splashed some of the water, then took the pot and threw the boiling water at her face. Doughty attempted to block the water with her arms, resulting in the blisters on her right forearm, along with her face.

Brody offered to call one of his friends to take her to the hospital, but decided to call 911 since she was uncomfortable going to the hospital with a stranger. Doughty said Brody then asked if she was going to tell anyone he threw boiling water in her face.
Brody initially agreed to give a recorded statement to authorities, then declined and requested an attorney.

Doughty was taken to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital, then transferred to a burn center in Augusta, Georgia, for further treatment.

A 46-year-old Blountstown man is being held without bond in the Calhoun County Jail, accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl several times for over a year.

William Kevin Simmons, 46, has been charged with 10 counts of sexual battery.

According to the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office, Simmons' wife contacted the girl's mother with concerns about her daughter who often visited the Simmons home. Simmons' wife had reportedly found some text messages on his phone that made her suspicious. The girl's mother questioned her about her relationship with Simmons, leading to the teen disclosing she began having sexual encounters with Simmons over a year ago with an estimated 10 encounters occurring up until January 2012.

Several pieces of evidence were collected from Simmons' SUV and from an area where he allegedly took the teen parking for sexual encounters. The items have been sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for processing. A search warrant was also obtained for Simmons' phone, as well as the teen's phone.

Simmons was contacted by Inv. Michael Bryant Jan. 10 and agreed to provide a statement. However, when Inv. Bryant attempted to call him back two days later to set up the interview, Simmons' phone was disconnected or the number had been changed. Simmons' attorney called authorities this week and advised Simmons would surrender. He turned himself in at the Calhoun County Jail Thursday.

Two social workers from both sides of the river have seen enough. Heather Mallory of Blountstown and Winter McLemore of Bristol are joining forces to form a grassroots organization to help meet local needs.[Full Story »]